Fundraiser for little Alex

Sarah Cromack, owner of Just Sandwiches, has organised two weeks of fundraising for her friend Sarah Craven's son, Alex, who has a form of Cerebral Palsy and needs treatment which he can't get on the NHS.

Published:19:00Sunday 08 February 2015

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A day of live music helped raise money for a little boy who has cerebral palsy.

The Alex-Fest fundraiser was held at The Lion pub in Castleford and raised more than £2,000 for three-year-old Alex Craven.

Alex, of Garden Street, Glass Houghton, was born eight weeks premature, with a form of cerebral palsy which has left him unable to crawl, walk or even stand.

More than 600 people attended the day-long event, which featured live performances from local bands Rory Holl, The Tequilas and Katie Williams.

It was organised by the family’s friend Gareth Edwards.

Mr Edwards, 38, of Lister Street, Castleford said: “The Alex-Fest went better than I ever imagined, the bands were brilliant and so many people came.

“I’ve already booked a date to do it again next year.

“Alex is a lovely little lad and I’m a father myself so to see how happy he is, with all the stuff he is going through, just made me want to help.

“I saw a picture of him and that was enough for me - I don’t like to see any kid struggling.”

Alex has been undergoing groundbreaking advanced biomechanical rehabilitation (ABR) treatment - which is not funded by the NHS and costs £6,000 a year - since 2012.

The ABR treatment sessions take place three times a year in Glasgow, Scotland, where trained therapists travel from Belgium to work with affected children and their parents.

They train parents in different techniques and teach them a specific set of exercises for their child, which they must then carry out every day at home.

Alex’s mum, Sarah Craven, 34, said: “I want to say a big thank you the bands for playing and to Gareth because he set it all up himself and did a great job.

“The money raised will go a long way, it’s a massive amount and almost half of Alex’s annual treatment fee. The ABR is working really well for him, he’s improved so much since he started the treatment.

“He can crawl from one end of the room to the either now, which is huge for him because he couldn’t crawl at all before.

“Alex’s treatment is expensive and we’re always fundraising because its ongoing, it’s not just a one off thing. ”

To donate to Alex log on to www.facebook.com and search for Alex’s ABR Therapy.